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Area News

Announcements
Thursday, October 26
• Fayette County Health Dept. flu clinic, 8:30-10:30 a.m., St. Elmo City Hall.
• ExxonMobil Annuitants, noon, Vandalia Ponderosa.
Friday, October 27
• Friday is the last day that RNA is collecting items for male and female veterans. Collection box is at Mary Ann’s Restaurant.
Saturday, October 28
• Saturday is Royal Neighbors of America #5784 Make a Difference Day.
Sunday, October 29

Longhorn Cowgirls Enjoying Cooler Weather
Longhorn cows are survivors. We have read that they can survive on the barest of necessities, such as poor food supply and eating briers and weeds, and have thrived on such poor nutrition.
Our cowgirls’ survival skills have never been put to the test. Here on the Homestead, they have always had hay and grain supplied to supplement the pasture when the grass is brown and dry from lack of rain … and I have never seen them yet munching on weeds.

Weekend Visitors
Mitch, Gretchen, Owen, Aaron and Henry Harpster spent the weekend with Dane and Belinda Harpster of St. Peter.
The boys enjoyed riding in the combine with their Grandpa Dane.
Installation
The Rev. Ryan Meyer will be installed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, Oct. 22, in a 4 p.m. service.
A potluck will be held immediately following in the school gym.
Those who plan to attend the meal should contact Belinda Harpster by Oct. 16.
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church

Marriage
Michael Wollin and Mandy Wendte were married on Saturday at Tuscan Hills Winery in Effingham. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. David Hoehler. The couple will reside in St. Peter.
Death
Donna Oertwig of St. Peter died on Saturday. The funeral was held on Wednesday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Weekend with Grandparents

News from Pete, the Missouri Dog
A telephone conversation from brother Joe Blackwell and Pete, the Missouri dog, revealed that Pete is doing well and is getting his master (?), aware of Joe’s “best friend’s” (namely Pete’s) needs and wants.
Joe said that Pet now sits on the deck and stares Joe down until Joe gives him a treat. Pete is not sitting on the couch and watching TV anymore, but it is too nice around the pond and in the Missouri woods to stay indoors, anyway.

Honor Flight
On Oct. 17, Ray Schnake will be participating in an honor flight to Washington, D.C.
This is a program that honors men and women who served in the armed forces during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. At the end of the flight day, veterans are given letters and cards from family and friends reminiscent of military mail call.
Ray’s family is asking friends to participate by sending a card. The address is: Ray Schnake, c/o Joan Bortolon, 57 Country Place, Springfield, Ill. 62703.
New Minister

Longhorm Family Sends Out for Fast Food ...
... meaning that a good rain is needed on their pasture, as the long green grass is turning to short brown stubble. So they put in an order for a whopper-size bale of good hay from friend Josh.
We have noticed that Geneva, the brown/white cow, will eat the hay and leave the dry grass, but “Red,” one of the red cows, will still nibble at the stubby brown grass. We figure she is saving the hay until there is no grass left to eat.